How I choose to say Goodbye...

I just responded to an email from my grandmother. Little jokes and the usual sort of sweet things that you say to your grandmother. Always the promises to visit more. At the end of the email, I signed off thusly...

Your Loving Grandson,
Chris

That's how I always sign off emails to her. I added the "Loving" during a particularly strained period of time where she was convinced that a certain unknown quantity of emails would show me the error of my ways and bring me back to the G.O.P. I tersely, but respectfully, denied any future participation with that particular political party. And to assure her that there were no hard feelings, I added "loving" to my standard farewell of "Your Grandson,".

Even though the election passed, the feeling never did and I've kept the signature there for her. Consistency. Old people crave it.

I am very aware of the sign off that I give emails. To my mind, it's a final moment to check in with the recipient and express one final idea, before your name seals the email and sends it on its way. I have a small closet full of signatures that mean different things...



Cheers,
COB

That's the standard farewell. It says, "Hey, this has been fun. Let's do this again, or head down to the pub for a pint, mate. Because we're smart enough to co-opt British slang!"
COB are my initials. They're also naval code for Chief of the Boat. Watch "Crimson Tide" and hear the "Cob" being referred to, throughout the movie. That's what they mean. "Chief of the Boat."
A former friend of mine from IO used to call me "Cob", knowing the meaning. I always liked it. So, I added it as my signature for a while now.
That's where all of that comes from.



With Respect, I remain,
Your friend,
COB

Yep, this is an old timey signature. It's damned formal. I include this in some occasion where the recipient might be doubting how I really feel. Like after I've dressed them down in an email or phone conversation. This closer says, "Regardless of this disagreement, I am aware of the fact that we are friends and that takes priority."
Plus, I think people appreciate it when you take the time to add a little formality to an interraction with them. It lets them know that they are worth the extra effort.



Yours,
C

This one is a special one. I don't use it very often.
This one means, "I am literally yours. To do with, as you please. Take me or leave me, whatever happens, I will remain your posession."
It's the single most passionate expression of devotion that I can give to another human being. And it's neatly expressed in a single word. An unwritten code that I may not have ever explained to them. But it's there. Implied in that one little word, with the single initial afterwards.
The single initial says, "I don't have to write my full name out. You know who I am."

The English language is so expressive. So many ideas crammed into the many variables that text provides us. I like the idea of expressing many sub-layers of thought with simple words. I like exploring the complexity of the language. Not because it makes me smarter than you, or implies anything about you or I at all, but because each careful choice of a word is a challenge, a puzzle, a riddle. An opportunity to arrange things, just so, so that your meaning is clearly conveyed. Your subject is touched and emotionally affected by the interraction. And communication is achieved.

As is your desire in the first place.

With Great Affection,
I remain, Your friend,
COB